The First Eleven

David Beckham gives GQ an exclusive team talk on his new fragrance, kit bag essentials and why he won’t go back to the mohawk.

While the tabloid gossip has the England legend pitching for one last shot at the Premier League, off the field the David Beckham brand continues to thrive. Together with Coty (maker of Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs perfumes), he launched his first fragrance, Instinct, in 2005, and has since amassed a collection of eleven scents and exceptionally healthy sales figures. In his only British interview about the range, the world’s best-groomed man talks to GQ about his latest fragrance, Homme, pinching face cream from Victoria and what’s next for the Beckham empire…

GQ: Your style has changed since you launched your first fragrance. Do you think the older ones are still relevant?

David Beckham: We tried to make things that never go out of fashion and I think we’ve done that with Instinct. You don’t look at it and think, ‘The bottle looks old, the scent smells old.’ We’ll do it with Homme as well.

How does Homme reflect your style?

Rosewood has always been one of my favourite scents, as has the pink grapefruit and pepper we’ve also put in Homme. It gives it a kind of leather, cashmere, woody feel, and that’s something I’ve liked in the scents I’ve worn over the years.

What do you wear?

I used to steal my grandad’s Calvin Klein Obsession and I’ve worn Dominique Ropion in the past. But obviously now I’ve got my own, I wear that, which is handy.

What’s in your wash bag?

I don’t use a huge amount: facial cream, moisturiser and a scrub. I like to use La Prairie; if I haven’t got any of my own, I use my wife’s. I always carry a bread trimmer, a pair of clippers and tweezers. I like to use a good body moisturiser, like Nivea’s or the Body Shop’s – cocoa butter is a really nice smell to have on you.

Do you plan your next hairstyle, or is it a spur of the moment decision?

It literally is a spur of the moment decision. People try to read too much into it; over the years they’ve said I’ve spent £2 000 on a hairstyle, which I’ve never done. Either a friend has cut it or I do it myself. Sometimes, I wake up and I’m bored of it, I want to shave it off. And I don’t think of anything apart from whether I’m happy with it.

What are you going for next?

I’m quite enjoying my look at the moment. I’m getting older, so I can’t pull up the mohawk or the ponytail any more. The way I’ve got it at the moment, my wife likes it, my kids like it, so I’m happy with it. But that could all change in the morning.

What’s the best piece of style advice you’ve ever been given?

No one’s ever really given me any style advice. I wear what I want and it doesn’t matter what other people think. I love a nice tailored suit, but I also like to dress down. It all depends on what mood I’m in. I’ve never really listened to anyone apart from my wife, because I’ve always gone with my instinct.

What do you think are the most common grooming mistakes that men make?

Some men over-tweeze their eyebrows and it’s just too perfect. Men are meant to have a bushy brow. Too much aftershave is also offputting; it’s one of my pet hates.

Do you feel pressured to look good at all times?

No. I am very organised, so I plan what I’m wearing the night before. To be honest, I go out in the morning and I don’t think about what people are going to think of me. If I’m comfortable, I’m comfortable.

What’s on your wish list from the autumn/winter menswear collections?

The only thing I’m really wearing at the moment is Ralph Lauren. RRL is incredible – the jeans, the khaki pants – there are so many things that are stunning. And I’ve worn Ralph Lauren suits loads over the last six months; they’re so well-cut and well-made. And, of course, my (forthcoming) underwear line, which I’ve been involved in 100 per cent. All the creative input has come from me.

And what has made you choose underwear?

I was part of an underwear campaign before and enjoyed it, so I thought it was fitting to try my own range. I know what looks good on a man and what men like to wear. It’s something I’ve created and I’m proud of, and it’s something that men really need.